Well I don’t need to tell you all about the rising cost of gas prices. They just seem to be going up. Yesterday I had to go out to Wegmans for a few things. You all know how I hate shopping on a Saturday. But it needed to be done. I was starting to look like old mother Hubbard. I escaped the rain a few times. it poured so hard while I was at my sisters house (I waited it out. it was pretty bad) Then when I was in Wegmans, it rained again (whew lucky me)

Anyway, I stopped at Hess on Howard Rd on my way home as I needed to pick up a few things inside (chocolate lover here) .The guy in front of me paid for his gas. I wasn’t paying much attention, I thought I heard ” 55 on 2 please” as he walked away.

It was my turn, I looked at the cashier,” did he say 55 dollars?” Yup she said. I was shocked. WOW 55 dollars for some gas.

We all have been hit hard with these gas prices and it’s not like we can go without it. Sure we can ride our bikes, we can car pool or limit our travels. but is this a way to live? They know we need this gas and we have no choice but to pay for it.. Sure there is that little car we can all think about buying, heck that car looks like a shoe box. ha ha

I wanted to post this blog and see if anyone knows where the gas is cheaper around town in Gates. I use to get gas where ever I wanted and what was convenient when I needed it. But lately, I am willing to travel around to get the best pricing.. Anyone know where it’s the cheapest around town? Do gas prices effect where you go now and what you plan on doing this summer?

I need to make a trip to Indiana this summer, and I am not looking forward to the gas prices.. Yikes!! I hear the prices aren’t likely to go down for a while.

I am not sure if you all are aware, but every year Kodak allows us to peep in and check out the Falcons. I make it a point to check in on them often. Kodak has a camera on the top of their State Street Building video taping the activity and daily progress of the Falcons.

The website refreshes every few minutes with live feed. Since 1998 Mariah (mommy bird) has had 38 falcons. Some have gone on to find mates of their own and begin new families of their own. How proud that mommy must be.

A little History on the Nesting of the Falcons:

In 1994 Dennis Money, founder of the Rochester Peregrine Falcon Project, asked Kodak for permission to place a nest box on top of the Kodak Office Tower. Kodak eagerly agreed, and in 1995 the nest box was placed in a location described as a perfect nesting place that simulates their natural cliff habitat.

1998 – The first Peregrine Falcons, Mariah (female) and Cabot-Sirocco (male), use the nest and continue to successfully nest through 2001.2002 – Kaver replaces Cabot-Sirocco as Mariah’s mate and they successfully raise 2 hatchlings.2003 – Kaver and Mariah lay 5 eggs; all hatch successfully.2004 – Kaver and Mariah lay 5 eggs; all hatch successfully. Hafoc, one of the juvenile peregrines, was fitted with a satellite transmitter.2005 – Once again, Kaver and Mariah lay 5 eggs and all hatch successfully. Skye, one of the juvenile peregrines, was fitted with a satellite transmitter.2006 – Mariah lays 6 eggs, 5 of which hatch. Three eyases survive to fledge in mid-June.2007 – Mariah lays 5 eggs. One disappears & 4 hatch. All fledge in mid-June.

Did anyone hear anything about the Falcons yet? Did she lay her eggs and start the incubation process?

Read up on information on the Peregrine Falcons and their history and life. It is pretty interesting. At least I think so.

Hi there.. Hope everyone had a great weekend and did something fun and productive.. I got a lot of work done and my body aches to prove it. Did you enjoy your weekend of great weather.. The stores were low on Hots and Hamburgs. Go figure!

I have been reading and seeing on TV all kinds of information on going Green.. So were going to talk a little about what works for everyone, who has an idea that works and how we can go green… Share with us what works for you and how you help. The reason to go green is to save money and the environment to use less energy.

Using a dryer ball.. Helps clothes separate while it rolls around, Helps your dryer run less, allows clothes to dry fasteruse cold water to wash clothes, saves on energyItems plugged into the wall still uses energy. They recommend turning them all off with a power stripRadius Toothbrush.. Only need to change the head of the toothbrushGo natural- natural itemsTake showers lasting 5 min saves you 1000 gallons of water a month, Turn off water when brushing your teethNew toilets use less waterSolar powered flashlightTurn lights off when not neededskip the bottled water and get a water purifier for your faucetrecycleRead online media and news, online newspapers

How do you do your part? Any ideas you want to share?What… A 5 min shower? who can do that…

Remember that house on Howard Rd by Wal-Mart that had all those stuffed animals, signs, decorations and furniture in the front yard? I was driving by the other day and noticed it’s for sale.. I heard its been for sale for a while. The house looked so great and well maintained. I wonder how long it took to clean up that house and clear out all those items they had in front. What was the deal with all that stuff anyway? Its been cleaned up for a while now. I heard they had to bring in a dumpster to clean everything out.

I bet neighbors are glad the house was cleared out and maintained the way it looks now.. I know people like to decorate based on their personality for their homes, but that was pushing it. I wonder what the inside looked like? The outside was quite the eye sore. Do you remember? I tried to find some pictures on the internet of that house back then, but I was unsuccessful

There are 205 days left until the nextPresidential Election. Is that accurate?

It seems that as the days go by,more dirty laundryand bashes on the candidates come up. It’s so confusing to try and decide who

to vote for and why.

Some candidates are against the war on Iraq. Like a lot of citizens, we allhave different views. We all want our troops to come home safely. Some

feel they are fighting a war that will never be won. Others think the troops

should stay and finish what was started. Presidential choices are personal

choices and there are no right ways to feel.

There are so many things to consider when choosing the next president butwith all the negative talk, it’s hard to decide what is right and what iswrong, what is fact and what is blown out of proportion.

They all have ideas to save the economy, but who knows where the economywill be when that time comes. Plus, can one person successfully save theeconomy?

Everyone wants to help our healthcare. I say this, I will believe it when Isee it.

News on Oboma’s reverend was the big topic. I have to admit, I was shockedto hear about this news. Even if his ties to this man are letloose,will he suffer? There were many videos posted onyoutube on this that would make you pretty upset and change people’s mind forelection.

I am not saying he is involved in anything, I just think things don’t look good. I take it with a grain of salt and know that things aren’talways what they appear. But I am skeptical.

Some people think Hillary doesn’t have what it takes to be president. Somepeople hold what her husband Bill did against her. And I have heard peoplesay, “no one will choose a woman for president”.

When this time comes to vote, everyone has to look closely and investigateeverything before voting. Again, its all personal choice and how you feelabout a certain person. But what about that old saying, first impressionsare so important.

Well since we have been having so many Blog problems, I gave up trying for a while. I’m going to attempt to try and post this blog on hopes for success. Was it a little frustrating or what? Don’t you love it when you expect things to work and move smoothly, yet times bring on delays and bumps in the road.. It happens.

I know this is not Gates news but I wanted to talk about the closeing of Midtown. When I was younger, I remember my parents taking me to Midtown to ride the monorail during the holidays. I remember the midtown Santa and all the cool stores downtown. I can still remember riding around Santa’s mountain and how much fun that was and to see the big Clock of Nations . Remember the old McCrory’s, the old Sibleys Building and the old Wegmans. Wow how far we have come.

I will admit, I don’t get downtown much anymore unless I need to pass through to where I am going. But there are so many people who go there every day for familiar faces, stores and shopping. I don’t think that Midtown had the traffic it once did in the past. But you cant say we didn’t try or go down without a fight. It was getting run down and less stores were available to shoppers.

The past is behind us for this wonderful place. A big part of our History will close before 2008′s summer is over. A lot of people still frequent stores downtown every day. A frequent place to stop for coffee on the way to work or shop for discount items.

The closing is making room for Paetec’s new Hi- Rise headquarters. I heard all tenants will be out by the end of July. I want to know what will what will happen with the Bus company? Anyone know?

The good news will be for the jobs this will create for Rochester Residents. We could use that around here. I am sure this will be a positive move for Rochester. We will have to wait and see. Rest in Peace Midtown. You gave us years of smiles and happy moments. Great fond memories that will stay with us forever and many stories to tell.

How do you feel about the closing.. Its time for a face lift around here huh? Here are a few photos for memories

My name is Regina Mahnke but most people know me as Reggie. I am originally from Medina, and I have lived in Gates for the past 45 years. I was an elementary teacher for the Rochester School District for three years before my children were born. When I went back to work, it was for a small manufacturing company as a production scheduler. When I retired from that company, I worked for the Gates Library for five years. My husband and I have three children and nine grandchildren.

Kim Jones
In the past eight years, I’ve earned degrees in business administration and human service management; however, my biggest accomplishment was when I received my master’s degree in management. Besides being a busy wife, I am also a working mother of three adorable girls. I have lived in the Town of Gates for the past five years. Although Gates is a small and close-knit community, I admire its diversity and education system. I love listening to music, spending time with my family, and most importantly, I love life! Email me at kim25jones@yahoo.com.